November greetings from cross-country skier Riitta-Liisa Roponen

Retired cross-country skier Riitta-Liisa Roponen has enjoyed a different kind of summer and autumn, but she has also taken advantage of the first cross-country ski track in Levi this winter.

Hi everyone!

There is a lot of buzz at Levi's cross-country ski track at this time of the year. On the track, you can see both competitive skiers and fitness enthusiasts. Mainly good-natured outdoorsmen from young children to older cross-country skiers. And why not, since the track is in good condition! The competition season for Finnish cross-country skiers started at the beginning of November. For someone like me, who has finished competing, it meant exciting moments on the couch in front of the TV.

Now that my goal-oriented skiing career is behind me, I have enjoyed this summer in a different way than before. When I don't always have to think about how best to recover from a workout, prepare for the next workout and take care of getting enough rest, I've enjoyed things I haven't been able to do before. Some small things, such as going to the movies, long coffee talks with a friend, and berry picking trips with snacks have been wonderful.

I have been vacationing abroad, both in Europe and America. Enjoyed the home region, taking long trips in the banks of the Kiiminkijoki and jumping on the bike and riding to listen to live music with friends. After a long time, I also got to ride a horse and tried padel a few times. With the new gravel bike, I have adventured on new routes and found nice summer cafes.

To challenge myself, I have competed in trail runs and enjoyed every step. The renewed route of Levi's Ruskamarathon around Levitunturi on different surfaces was varied and beautiful, I really liked it! All in all, a very nice summer and autumn is behind us.

I will definitely wear a number tag on my chest in the winter as well, enjoying the feeling of competitive skiing. Fortunately, we also got natural snow here in Levi to illuminate the darkness and bring the feeling of winter. At the weekend, the sales stalls of Levi's Christmas market opened and the Christmas lights create a Christmas atmosphere for Levi. For me, they are a tradition for when the waiting for Christmas can begin.

Happy beginning of winter everyone!

Ritu